Today we're bringing something different to Writing in the Modern
Age in the form of a character interview. These character interviews, now
and in the future, should prove to be very enlightening for all of us.
We have the pleasure of meeting Catherine Carnegie, a character from Confessions of an Assasin. We'll get a chance to talk to the author, Linda Heavner Gerald, in a bit, but now we have on the stage...Catherine!
Interview
Marie Lavender: Hello, Catherine. Please have a seat.
Character Catherine Carnegie: Thank you. It's a pleasure to be here.
Character Catherine Carnegie: Thank you. It's a pleasure to be here.
Marie: We're going to start out with some simple questions,
okay?
Catherine: Of course.
Marie: So, what is your occupation? Are you any good at
it? Do you like it?
Catherine: I own an art gallery in
Eufaula, Alabama. We sell our paintings all over the world and host about three
major galas each year. All of my life, I have planned my occupation and am
excellent at marketing my art and that of others. To say that I love it would
be an understatement. I feel this what I am supposed to do with my life.
Marie: Great! So, what is your
family like?
Catherine: The Carnegie family is
very affluent but my parents were the renegades. Still, we are accepted by the
more affluent members. We are a large clan.
Marie: Okay.
What did your childhood home look like?
Catherine: My childhood home was
located in New York City. The family home was a large estate, but small compared
to the more distant cousins. Our home was a large Georgian brick home on a
gated compound.
Marie: Wow!
Do you have any hobbies? What do you enjoy
doing?
Catherine: Painting is my love. Not
only is it my chosen occupation but the way that I fill most of my hours. Also,
I love sailing and taking long walks. The lake at Eufaula is the perfect place
to spend hours of time just enjoying the beauty of nature.
Marie: It sounds like a great creative outlet for you! And I can't blame you. Nature can be pretty amazing.
So, what is your greatest dream, Catherine?
So, what is your greatest dream, Catherine?
Catherine: My greatest dream is to
help other artists fulfill their dreams and find the ability to support
themselves doing what they love. Since I have met Farid, an even greater dream
is to spend my life with him.
Marie: Great!
What kind of person do you wish you could
be? What is stopping you?
Catherine: Funny, I am the exact
person of which I have always dreamed. Although it seems that my dream of a
solitary life has changed since meeting Farid, we fulfill a solitary life
together. It is difficult to explain.
Marie: I see.
So...who was your first love?
Catherine: Farid is my first love
and hopefully my last. He is my soul-mate.
Marie: It always warms my heart to hear that! :)
Let's try something else.
What's the most terrible thing that ever
happened to you, Catherine?
Catherine: The most terrible thing
that ever happened was being used by a man who claimed that he was in love with
me. When I discovered him with his wife in a Washington restaurant laughing
over my stupidity and naïve nature, I was crushed. Never, will I forget the
feeling of betrayal.
Marie: Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that, Catherine. Sometimes people can be jerks.
(Pauses.)
Let's try a different question, shall we?
(Nods.)
What was your dream growing up? Did you achieve that dream? If
so, in what ways was it not what you expected? If you never achieved the dream,
why not?
Catherine: My dream growing up is
the very life which I now live. Since leaving NYC for Eufaula, Alabama and
discovering the house of my dreams, I have started my art gallery and with my
personal household staff, my life is just as I dreamed. Of course, now I have
Farid so it is even more wonderful than I ever thought.
Marie: Great!
So, who is your role
model?
Catherine: My grandfather was my
role model. His gentle spirit and love of God kept him straight and allowed him
to weather life's blows with strength and dignity. I wish that he could see me
now and know that I am back on course.
Marie: I know what you mean. I lost my grandparents too, and I miss them terribly. It sounds like grandpa was really special.
Let's trying something else.
Is there someone you pretend to like but
really dislike?
Catherine: There is a man in my
life named Frank. His last name doesn't even matter but he is someone that I
work with occasionally. He is a very difficult person. I must work with him, but
I truly do not like him. No, not at all do I enjoy him. I hate it when he
phones me with his stupid games. I apologize for being so negative but I have
never met anyone who disgusts me as he does.
Marie: Hmm...I won't pry, but he doesn't sound like a good person.
So, what is your deepest desire, Catherine?
Catherine: My deepest desire is to spend the rest of my life with my love, Farid, in
peace.
Marie: (Smiles.) I can totally relate to that...So, one more question.
What is your greatest fear?
Catherine: My greatest fear is
losing Farid because of the poor choices which I have made. I can't explain this,
but I wake up in a sweat over it.
Marie:
Oh, I see.
Well, it looks like we're running out of time, Catherine. Thank you
for visiting us today.
Catherine: Thanks for having me.
Of course! I wish you
luck with Farid! It was so interesting getting to know you. (Waves at her guest as
she heads off the stage.)
Now, let's shift over
and get the author's perspective. We have Linda Heavner Gerald on the stage
today! Hi, Linda!
Author Linda Heavner Gerald: Hello! It's so great to be here.
Marie: (Smiles.) Welcome back to Writing in the Modern Age.
We just
got to talk to the heroine of your story, Catherine. Quite an interesting
character. Can you tell us a little about her?
Linda: Sure, I would love to talk
about Catherine because she is so interesting and complex.
Marie: Great!
Linda: Catherine
came from old money and had the world on a string so to speak. She could have
just enjoyed her trust fund, but she chose to do what she loved most while
attempting to help those less fortunate. When she established her art gallery,
Carnegie Hall in Eufaula, Alabama, her goal was to assist less fortunate
artists who struggled to be able to continue showcasing their talents.
Most of these artists worked all day and were only able to paint late at night.
Although her gallery could not help a great number of artists, she was able to
allow a few to do what they loved most, paint to support themselves and their
families.
Marie: How inspiring!
So, what are your character's greatest
strengths?
Marie: Okay.
What
are her greatest weaknesses?
Marie: I see.
So, what are some of her favorite
foods?
Linda: The wealth to which she was born
allowed her to enjoy the cooking of others but when she moved to Eufaula, she
learned to enjoy cooking some of her meals. Fresh ingredients prepared in a
simple, Southern way came to be loved and enjoyed most.
Marie: What's a positive quality that your character is
unaware that he or she has?
Linda: Catherine was unaware of her great
capacity and desire to love and be loved. Although she looked forward to a
quiet life of art, she unknowingly learned that the ability to love a man and
receive that quality of love was a core need.
Marie: All right.
Will readers like or dislike this
character, and why?
Linda: Readers will really connect with
Catherine Carnegie. From her early childhood, her innocence and humanity is so
apparent. A strong love for her grandfather and the effects of the loss of his
love later in life contribute to her understanding that love is so important.
God also becomes the core of her existence even though she conveniently forgets
to include him.
What first gave you the idea for Confessions of an Assassin?
Marie: Well, that's cool!
Linda: Oh,
I'm definitely a pantster. My writing is from the heart. Usually it begins with
a vision and the words filter so quickly that my writing flows. I don't need or
have time for outlines, etc. This just seems to work for me.
Marie: That's great! We all have our own styles.
So, I’m throwing this one in for our aspiring
writers. Did you come across any specific challenges in writing Confessions of an Assassin or getting it published? What would you do differently
the next time?
Linda: Confessions
of an Assassin did not prove to be any challenge. I enjoyed writing it so much.
Usually I connect with my characters. This was definitely the case with
Catherine. I truly hated for the book to end because for a brief time, she was
a joyful part of my life. I used the same publisher that I used with the book
before, Till Heaven Then Forever. My problem is with marketing. That is so
difficult for me. This book is such a strong read, I believe that people will
love it but getting it out there is a challenge.
Marie: Well, it was such a pleasure having you
here on Writing in the Modern Age, Linda. We hope you can come back
again sometime! :)
Readers, don't miss your chance to pick up a copy of this awesome book!
Here is the blurb for Confessions of an Assassin.
Confessions of an Assassin is the story of Catherine
Carnegie. Although she was born to a
wealthy, prestigious family from New York, her dream was all things southern. “Cat” finally obtained everything that she
dreamed of since childhood. Once established in the loveliest home in Eufaula,
Alabama, she meets a vaguely familiar man from her college days who changes her
life. What begins as a fun diversion
attending state dinners in Washington, soon immerses her in a dangerous unknown
government agency. Despite attempts to
withdraw from their clutches, she realizes that they are ruthless and unwilling
to ever let her leave. Her assignments become
more dangerous; sent to various places all over the globe. Eventually, she is given her most heart-wrenching assignment in Bali, Indonesia which will change her life forever.
Purchase Links:
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/confessions-of-an-assassin-linda-heavner-gerald/1121176524
Goodreads book page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24875738-confessions-of-an-assassin
About Linda Heavner Gerald:
Linda is retired and lives with her
husband on the Gulf of Mexico in Florida.
Currently she has six published novels with another thriller on the
way. Her goal is to demonstrate that
regardless of our actions, God is always there to welcome us back. The books which she writes are books of
substance with something to challenge or encourage. A medical background encourages her to
incorporate facts that may help readers seek professional help for various
situations or the provision of latest facts.
Linda has one son and one grandson
who reside in Dallas, Texas. She and her
husband love to take long walks on the Gulf of Mexico and bike on the trails by
her home.
"WRITING WITH A PURPOSE, that’s what
I’m about."
Author Links:
Website: http://lindaheavnergerald.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lindaheavnerger
Amazon Author page: http://www.amazon.com/Linda-Heavner-Gerald/e/B00B6SPNPM/
Linda's Books:
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